Under supervision, performs paraprofessional instructional activities to provide learning experiences to individual and small groups of students.

Required: Associate’s degree from an institution of higher education or two years of study (72 credit hours) at an institution of higher education One (1) year of experience working with children in an educational or similar setting. Para Professionals are required to complete the Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) within one year of employment and obtain a General Para Educator Certificate.

Special Requirements: Must pass a criminal background check, a drug screen and meet all health and immunization requirements. Must be able to obtain satisfactory results on a pre-employment physical examination, including tuberculosis screening.

Knowledge of: Basic concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics; Effective behavior management techniques; Rules and procedures for student safety; Necessary equipment, computers, machinery, tools or software; Basic subjects including arithmetic, grammar, spelling and reading; Subject areas appropriate to assignment.

Skill in: Effective communication with students, parents or guardians, staff and administrators; Designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement; Dealing with students in an understanding, patient, receptive, positive and confident manner; Organizing activities in keeping with the maturity and attention span of assigned students; Utilizing a variety of instructional materials and procedure; Managing student behavior.

The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this class; While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk and talk or hear; occasionally required to sit; use hands to operate, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms; occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.